"It was really great that you decided to come to that show with me, Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle said as the two mares walked down Canterlot Drive.
The two were dressed in Rarity's latest creations, tailor made for the two of them; Sweetie's a frilly white and purple dress with blue pearls embedded in the chest piece.
Apple Bloom wore a simple garb; a maroon cloak which flowed down her sides connected to her vest by a tiny gold link chain.
"It was no problem, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said, smiling.
"I'm glad to hear that!" The white unicorn replied. "It's the first time we've really gotten together ever since Big Mac...well..."
Apple Bloom's smile instantly faded as she remembered her brother's passing.
"They always said he had a big heart." She mused with a sad smirk. "Never thought it was such a literal phrase..."
It had been weeks since that day. Big Mac just gave out one day when he was working in the fields. She guessed that he had over exerted himself trying to make up for the loss of Applejack on the farm. Speaking of which...
"I got a feelin' the farm ain't gonna make it through the season..." The yellow pony stated.
"That's awful!" Sweetie Belle gasped, concern forming in her eyes. "What...what's going to happen to you then? Where will you go?"
"I...I reckon I don't..really know..." She replied.
Sweetie Belle put a hoof around her closest friend; a small smile starting to form on her lips as she tilted Apple Bloom's head up to meet hers.
"You can come and stay with Rarity and me if you need to." She offered. "I know my sister would welcome you anytime after all that's happened."
Apple Bloom, teary eyed, smiled back. "That's mighty kind of ya, Sweetie Belle. I'm so glad you're my friend."
The two hadn't realized they had taken small detour. By the time they noticed the lack of ponies and the less-than-upkept state of the buildings, a voice confirmed that they had wandered into the wrong neighborhood.
"Hey there, you two pretty young ponies." The obvious stallions voice cooed. "You lost or somethin'?"
They whipped around and saw the heap of stallion that stood before them. His face was contorted into a twisted and perverted smile; his yellowing teeth showing through his slightly parted and cut lips. There was no doubt what he had on his mind.
"Sweetie, run!" Apple Bloom yelled, and tried to attack the big burly pony to take his attention off her friend.
She struck him in the jaw, but he smacked her away with a strong hoof, sending her into a line of trash cans. Her head smacked against the brick wall behind them, and she started to slip into unconsciousness.
"Apple Bloom! Help! Somepony!" Sweetie's desperate voice called into the night.
"No..." Grunted Apple Bloom, trying to stay conscious, but failing. "N-no..."
"NO!!" Apple Bloom yelled out, leaping from her bed and smashing the nightstand under her hoof strike.
She suddenly realized it was another dream as she looked around. No, not a dream; a memory. One she was hoping never to have to experience again. Why were all of these memories flooding back to her like this? This was the thirteenth nightmare in a row, and the second one since she had arrived at Goku's. Why? Why was this happening?
Gohan and Goku both rushed in, looking ready for a fight. When they saw nothing but a shivering and sobbing Apple Bloom, they relaxed and walked over to her.
"Apple Bloom?" Gohan spoke up, reaching out a hand to her.
"I couldn't do it..." She choked out, tears streaming down her face.
"Couldn't do what?"
"I couldn't protect my friend...I couldn't help my big brother...I cost my big sister her life even...and so much more....I can't protect anyone...because you're right....I....I'm not fit to protect anyone as I am...."
The father and son looked at each other and nodded.
"Apple Bloom, it's still pretty late. Do you think you could go back to sleep?" Gohan asked.
"I...I can't go back to sleep right now...I'm...I'm afraid I'll see another...another memory..."
"Just calm down, Apple Bloom." Goku said from behind his son. "Take a deep breath."
Apple Bloom sniffed and then did as Goku suggested, sucking in a lung full of air slowly. She then exhaled, and stopped shivering.
She turned to her teacher and his son, a new determination in her eyes.
"I'll do it." She said. "I'll make the wish to become an anthropomorph."
Gohan and Goku both nodded.
"But," she added. "I don't want to just rely on a magical power up to get better...I want to be great on my own too...is...is there a way for me to become an anthropomorph...but still be able to stay a pony as well...?"
"You mean like a transformation?" Gohan asked. "Of course, that's definitely plausible. But it will mean a lot more work to train two different body types to keep them at virtually equal power levels. Are you up to that?"
Apple Bloom stood up, puffing out her chest in conviction. "If it means I'll be able to stop losing people just because I'm too weak to protect them...I'll do whatever it takes!"
Goku smiled, a tinge of familiarity in Apple Bloom's motive. He had thought a similar way when Beerus had come to Earth and his friends had helped him transform into a Super Saiyan God. He had been disappointed that he could not reach that power level alone. Apple Bloom didn't want to rely on the Dragon Balls alone to give her power either. But like Goku had let his friends help him that day, she would accept the Dragon Balls' assistance.
"I completely understand, Apple Bloom." He said wit a look of admiration. "We can set off to find the Dragon Balls come morning."
She nodded. Then she looked at the shattered wooden nightstand she had smashed in her waking rage.
"Uh..sorry about that.." she mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Oh, that's not a problem. Chi Chi will just yell at me for it. Hahaha!"
Gohan and Apple Bloom both gave a nervous chuckle at Goku's nonchalant reaction to being chastised by his wife.
"Hey, is Apple Bloom ok?" Goten asked, a bit sleepy, but awake enough to not drag his feet.
"I'm..ok, Goten. Everything is fine..."
"Except for the fact you can't get to sleep now..." Gohan pointed out.
Goten shrugged. "Well, if you want, I can hang with you for a bit until you feel like sleeping. I can't really go back to sleep once I wake up either."
She looked at him, and then smiled appreciatively at him. "I'd...like that. Thanks, Goten.."
Goten giggled, putting his hands behind his head. "It's no problem."
"Well, it is a weekend, so I guess it's ok." Gohan decided. "Good night, you two. I'm headed back to sleep."
With a yawn, Goku stretched and followed his son out of the room, leaving Goten and Apple Bloom to converse in the dead of the night.